As part of a strategy to capture more value from its natural resources, the Angolan government is considering acquiring a 20 - 30% strategic stake in De Beers. Officials say discussions are at an advanced stage.

Botswana, already a key shareholder in De Beers, is also seeking to increase its stake. The government currently holds 15% of the company and has expressed interest in expanding its ownership as Anglo American moves forward with plans to sell the diamond business .

Meanwhile, Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad said he is optimistic a deal could be signed before the end of the year. 

“At this stage I’m optimistic that we should see a deal signed during the course of this year. We are now really advanced in the second phase of our process,” Wanblad told reporters after the release of the company’s interim results. 

He added that “Botswana is an extremely important and key stakeholder,” noting that its position would be decisive in determining the structure of any final deal. Botswana President Duma Boko has publicly voiced support for increasing the country’s stake.

De Beers, founded more than 135 years ago by Cecil Rhodes in South Africa, has mined hundreds of millions of carats across the continent, particularly in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, generating tens of billions of dollars in revenue.

However, the diamond market is currently facing headwinds. Wanblad acknowledged uncertainty over De Beers’ valuation following significant write-downs that contributed to Anglo American posting a $3.7 billion loss.

“At the moment there is a plentiful supply of rough diamonds in the market, with Angola ramping up output during the course of the year,” he said, adding that he could not rule out further impairments depending on market conditions .

If Angola secures up to 30% and Botswana increases its holding, the two African producers would collectively control a substantial share of De Beers.

Boko highlighted Africa’s youthful population and Botswana’s enabling environment as key drivers of the continent’s potential. 

“So the opportunities that there are in Botswana, the training, the education, the acquisition of skills, the support, the environment that nurtures them and feeds and fuels their fervent vitality, is what Botswana offers, and what will power Africa. Africa generally is a very young continent. The median age of 19.3, Botswana's median age is 25. And so, with such a population, Africa is poised to rule the world,” he said.

The 56-year-old Boko was sworn in as president of the Southern African nation on November 1, 2024, after a surprising electoral victory that ended the 58-year reign of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which had held power since the country’s independence from Britain in 1966.

The panel also included Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and Zimbabwe ’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The 2026 edition of the World Governments Summit is taking place from February 3 to 5. The event gathers over 6,000 participants, including more than 35 heads of state and government, 150 government delegations, and over 20 leaders from international and regional organisations. 

Discussions focus on global governance, economic growth, societal wellbeing, urban development, and emerging global trends.

The discussions come as Botswana races to protect its diamond exports from crippling U.S. tariffs, which were slashed from 37% to 15% in April. Botswana President Duma Boko warned in July that “these punitive measures threaten the sustainability of Botswana’s diamond industry and present a serious obstacle to broader economic growth across Africa.”

While officials insist negotiations are ongoing, there are fears the trade-off could weaken local beneficiation efforts, undermine partnerships with companies such as Debswana, and compromise transparency by bypassing parliamentary debate, Africa Relief reports.

A document titled “Botswana Strategic Bilateral Engagement on U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs” outlined not only mineral access but also U.S. investment opportunities in energy, technology, infrastructure, and health. The government pledged to ease entry through its One Stop Service Centre, reduce non-tariff barriers, and align with U.S. product standards. 

In return, the US promised to share a framework of its specific trade concerns. The general fear is that granting “first-mover rights” to American companies risks sidelining local communities and breaching mineral rights laws.

Professor Kekgaoditse Suping of the University of Botswana argued that while tariff relief could shield jobs and strengthen Botswana’s role in the green economy , safeguards on skills transfer, equity participation, and accountability are essential.

Officials, however, have downplayed the controversy. Trade Minister Ntsima dismissed concerns as “speculative” and cited a non-disclosure agreement preventing further detail. Permanent Secretary Joel Ramaphoi stressed that the government remains confident in securing full tariff elimination.

Botswana has declared September 29 a public holiday to celebrate its men’s 4x400m relay team’s historic gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The victory marks the first time an African nation has ever won the event. President Duma Boko hailed the team’s triumph over 10-time champions USA as “electric” and a symbol of Botswana’s growing global stature. The country also achieved its best-ever championship finish, ranking fifth overall with four medals.

UAE sends aid as Botswana faces health crisis

The United Arab Emirates has delivered 91 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies to Botswana, offering urgent relief as the country struggles with a nationwide health emergency. The shipment arrived Sunday and was hailed by Botswana’s Health Ministry as critical support amid severe shortages that have forced hospitals to delay non-urgent surgeries. President Duma Boko declared a national health emergency last month after a breakdown in the Central Medical Stores disrupted access to treatments for chronic and life-threatening conditions. 

Botswana launches sovereign wealth fund to spur growth, jobs

Botswana has unveiled a new sovereign wealth fund aimed at diversifying the economy, creating jobs, and improving management of state-owned companies. The move comes as the country struggles with a prolonged diamond market downturn that has drained the central bank-managed Pula Fund, traditionally used to stabilize finances. Board chair Farouk Gumel said the new fund will focus on growth, investing in both cash assets and state enterprises. Deputy chair Emma Peloetletse stressed that only returns — not capital — will be used. Officials say the fund may invest abroad as well as domestically to boost performance and reduce reliance on diamonds.

UN expert calls on Botswana to act against indigenous marginalization

A United Nations special rapporteur has urged Botswana to adopt a clear strategy and dedicated budget to address the marginalization of indigenous peoples. Following a 12-day visit to 12 cities and meetings with President Duma Boko and community representatives, Albert Barume reported that groups like the San face exclusion from public services, cultural erosion, and discrimination, particularly in schools. The report recommends constitutional recognition of indigenous status and greater public education to combat stigma. Botswana recently ratified ILO Convention 169, and the government has formed an inter-ministerial committee to address these issues. 

Acting president Gaolathe warns students against financial crimes

Acting president Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe has urged students to steer clear of financial crimes , warning that offenses like money laundering and fraud threaten Botswana’s economy and international standing. Speaking at the Financial Intelligence Agency’s 10km walk in Francistown on September 20, he stressed that blacklisting for financial misconduct can cripple access to loans, trade, and business growth. Gaolathe praised the FIA’s outreach, calling on youth to champion integrity and help protect Botswana’s economy by rejecting illegal financial activities and fostering a culture of responsibility.

President Duma Boko described the gold medal as a “historic African win” in an online address. He praised the athletes for their outstanding performance and said the holiday would be held a day before the country’s independence day, which falls on the 30th of September.

The team — made up of Olympic gold medallist Letsile Tebogo, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi — beat the United States in a rain-soaked final. The US had previously won the event 10 times. South Africa came third.

“I’ll be sure to tell everyone Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground; they are our world champion athletes,” President Boko said, speaking from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.

Botswana finished fifth overall on the medal table — its best performance yet — with two golds, one silver, and one bronze. Only the US, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada ranked higher.

This follows another major milestone from the previous year, when Letsile Tebogo became the first African to win Olympic gold in the men’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics . His win sparked nationwide celebrations, with huge crowds welcoming him back at the National Stadium in Gaborone.

Botswana also picked up a silver in the men’s 4x400m relay during the Paris Games, finishing behind the US.

The achievement was marred by a government appeal for public donations to reward the athletes, which sparked a protest among citizens.

Below is a list of leading diamond economies:

While Russia and Botswana dominate the market, Canada and Angola are tied in third place, each producing $1.5 billion in diamonds annually. Namibia also joins the elite with over a billion dollars in annual output, showcasing southern Africa's continued prominence in the industry.

Southern Africa is especially significant in the global diamond economy. The region is home to five of the world’s top producers , with Botswana, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe contributing billions in combined value.

Botswana’s economic stability and infrastructure are closely tied to the diamond trade, accounting for over 80% of its export revenue . Similarly, Namibia’s off-shore diamond mining efforts and Angola’s post-conflict industry revival reflect how deeply embedded diamonds are in regional development.

Though Africa leads in volume and value, Canada stands out as the only top producer outside of the Eastern Hemisphere, leveraging arctic mining operations in territories like Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Meanwhile, Brazil and Australia also contribute to the global diamond market but at significantly lower levels—$25 million and $65 million, respectively.

Mokgware also noted that community-based organisation activities created around 7,000 jobs per year, boosting rural employment and livelihoods. Several hunting trophies have been exported to international markets, with major destinations including the United States , Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and South Africa, the latter being the largest market in Africa.

Emerging markets such as Mexico and the Middle East , particularly the United Arab Emirates, are also showing interest, though the Far East remains untapped, the minister added.

On tourism concessions, Mokgware stated that land boards and the Department of Lands manage leases on tribal and state lands, respectively. Out of 40 tourism concession leases that expired over the past two decades, 29 have been renewed, while 11 remain pending.

The minister further noted that the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) plays a key role in advising on the allocation of tourism land and promoting sustainable tourism investments. He noted that the BTO’s facilitative role is grounded in its mandate to ensure the strategic development of tourism, as outlined in the BTO Act (CAP 42:10).

In 2014, the management of tourism sites was transferred from land authorities to the then Ministry of Environment , Natural Resources Management and Tourism due to persistent delays and mismanagement in lease allocations.

Signed by Botswana’s Minister for International Relations, Dr. Phenyo Butale, and Lesotho’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lejone Mpotjoane, the BNC seeks to drive strategic collaboration in areas such as trade, tourism, water management, mining, agriculture, education, and diplomatic consultations.

Dr. Butale emphasised the need for practical implementation of agreements, cautioning against signing multiple MoUs without measurable outcomes. “We are in a hurry as Botswana to industrialise and create jobs and hurried implementation is crucial,” he said, proposing annual review meetings to ensure accountability.

Mpotjoane added that “the newly signed instrument would further enable the two nations to expand more on areas that were unexplored.”

The signing was witnessed by Botswana’s President Duma Boko and Lesotho’s Prime Minister Samuel Matekane.

Could Botswana abandon death penalty to tackle gender-based violence?

President Duma Boko has called for a review of capital punishment’s role in addressing violent crime, especially gender-based violence (GBV), as such crimes continue to rise in Botswana despite decades of its enforcement. Read more here .

Massacre in Benue, relief in reforms: Can new tax laws ease Nigeria's security crisis?

Over 100 people were killed in a June 13, 2025 attack in Yelewata, Benue State, amid ongoing land conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, Amnesty International reports. With over 1,000 deaths since May 2023, violence persists. Meanwhile, President Tinubu's new tax reforms aim to ease the burden on low-income Nigerians by boosting disposable income. Read more here .

U.S. visa cuts on Africa—Is it really about reciprocity?

The U.S. has imposed new visa restrictions on Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, reducing student, tourist, and business visas to single-entry with three-month validity. The State Department cites its Global Reciprocity Realignment—but is reciprocity the real motive? Read more here .

Asia

Over 200 Chinese children poisoned after school used paint in food: summary

Over 200 kindergarten children in Tianshui, China, were hospitalized with lead poisoning after staff used industrial paint pigments to color food. Authorities say 233 of 251 children were affected. The school principal and others are in custody. Some food samples had lead levels over 2,000 times the legal limit. Read more here .

Key events in the Air India crash investigation

A preliminary report on last month’s Air India crash, which killed 260 people, reveals the engines were starved of fuel seconds after takeoff when fuel cutoff switches flipped to “off.” Read more here .

China, Malaysia agree on reciprocal visa-free entry for tourists and business travellers

China and Malaysia will launch a reciprocal visa-free travel deal on July 17, 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days per visit and 90 days within 180 days. It applies to Chinese official and ordinary passport holders and Malaysian ordinary passport holders. Read more here .

Latin America

Adriano Baracho: Covering climate, communities, and change in Brazil

Adriano, a one-man journalist for TV10 in rural São Paulo, has spent a decade covering local stories solo. Originally from the Amazon’s Pará region, he also documents climate change, deforestation, and Indigenous struggles from remote areas often overlooked by the media. Read more here .

Why Colombia is celebrating its independence day in another country

Colombia will celebrate its Independence Day in the Czech Republic for the first time this July 2025, as part of efforts to deepen cultural ties abroad. Organised by the Colombian Embassy and ASOCOLCZ, the event will be held on Saturday, July 19, at Betlémské náměstí in the heart of Prague. Read more here .

Trump intensifies trade war with threat of 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico

President Donald Trump has threatened a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the EU starting August 1, after trade talks stalled. Announced via letters posted on Truth Social, the move escalates tensions with key U.S. partners. Both Mexico and the EU criticised the tariffs as unfair but vowed to keep negotiating. Read more here .

Botswana remains one of the few African countries that still actively enforces the death penalty. However, Boko has suggested a shift toward a more nuanced approach addressing GBV.

In 2019, the Botswana National Review acknowledged persistent GBV levels and outlined national efforts to implement the Domestic Violence Act (2008). These measures included extensive public education and awareness campaigns at both national and community levels, using tools such as cultural dialogues, media discussions, and seminars.

The review also stated the government ’s engagement with traditional and religious leaders to tackle GBV.

According to the Kimberley Process , a global certification scheme established to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds, over 99% of the world’s rough diamond production now flows through conflict-free, regulated supply chains.

The latest production data reflects the economic scale and significance of these resources to the top-producing nations.

Global diamond production leaders (in million USD)

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Boko emphasised that the decision was made to provide affordable water access for ordinary citizens while requiring government agencies to shoulder a greater financial burden, Mmegi reports.

"We are looking at making it easier for households to survive," Boko stated. "At the same time, government agencies must play their part in ensuring sustainability by paying more for their usage."

The Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), the state-owned water supplier, has been grappling with financial challenges due to mounting debts, with millions of pula owed by consumers, including businesses and government departments. The financial strain has affected WUC’s ability to maintain and upgrade water infrastructure.

While the reduction in household water costs will provide relief to consumers, the ability of the increased government tariffs to offset revenue losses remains uncertain. Some experts question whether the adjustment will help bridge the financial gap or further burden the already strained water provider.

For households, the reduction in tariffs is expected to free up disposable income, easing financial pressures amid rising living costs. However, government agencies will need to adjust their budgets to accommodate higher water costs, which could lead to cutbacks in other areas of public spending.

Air Botswana’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Mogolo Mokgosi, expressed satisfaction with the passenger turnout, stating that new routes often take time to gain traction.

“These numbers show that the introduction of the route was necessary and has great potential. Normally, it takes time for a new route to gain traction, but we are seeing promising results,” Mmegi quotes Mokgosi.

The airline currently operates three direct flights per week on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On other days, passengers can connect to Durban via Air Botswana’s flights to Windhoek, Lusaka, and Harare, offering greater travel flexibility within the region.

To ensure the long-term success of the route, Air Botswana has partnered with Durban Tourism and the South African film industry, recognising Durban’s appeal as a vibrant tourist destination.

Botswana is exploring the construction of a new 615 MW coal-fired power station near Morupule B to address ongoing generation issues, as the existing facility has struggled to operate at full capacity since its 2012 launch. The Energy Ministry is considering this option if maintenance efforts at Morupule B do not resolve the problems. According to African Mining Market , the proposed plant could be operational within 18 to 24 months. A previous expansion plan for Morupule B was unsuccessful due to a lack of government guarantees for bidders. 

Medical tourism

Botswana is emerging as Africa's leading medical tourism destination, driven by significant healthcare investments and strategic initiatives to attract global patients. Travel and Tour World reports that the government has allocated substantial funds to enhance healthcare infrastructure, including the development of a 450-bed academic teaching hospital and upgrades to primary care facilities. This focus on quality and affordable medical treatments positions Botswana as an appealing alternative to traditional medical tourism hotspots. 

Embracing language through martial arts

The Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana hosted a cultural and language event on March 21, 2025, focused on "Chinese Gongfu" or martial arts. The event provided approximately 70 Chinese learners a platform to practice the language while learning about traditional martial arts, including vocabulary for various weapons. Participants showcased their Chinese language skills, with many citing the practical benefits of learning Chinese for business opportunities. The event featured performances, language games, and discussions, drawing parallels to "English corners" in China for language practice, Xinhua reports. CIUB is Botswana's first Confucius Institute, with a second institute opening in October 2023. 

Trump’s impact in Botswana

The Trump Administration's foreign aid cuts have severely impacted Botswana, particularly in health sectors like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, The Tenesse Tribune reports. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order halting most U.S. foreign aid and drastically reducing USAID's workforce, which has led to program cutbacks that leave many vulnerable populations without support. 

2026 World Athletic Relays

Botswana has been selected to host the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone from May 2 to May 3, 2026, as announced by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during a council meeting in Nanjing, China. Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng celebrated the news , congratulating the Botswana Athletics Association. Botswana has a strong relay team, highlighted by its 4x400m squad, which won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and holds three World Relays medals.

The agreement, signed by Botswana's Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, and De Beers Group CEO, covers the sale of diamonds from Debswana, a joint venture between Botswana's government and De Beers. It also includes provisions for mining license renewals and key capital commitments for production and marketing.

Gaolathe referenced the previous administration’s Integrated Resource Plan, which set targets of 30% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2036. However, he assured the nation that the new government intends to surpass these targets within a significantly shorter timeframe. “As the incoming government, we are setting our sights even higher,” he stated. “I won’t specify percentages, but we are aiming beyond previous ambitions because our people envision more,” Mmegi Online reports.

Recognising Botswana’s immense solar energy potential, Gaolathe noted that the country ranks third globally for solar radiation exposure, receiving approximately 3,200 hours of sunshine annually.

“With this resource, there is no reason Botswana cannot become a hub for solar-generated power,” he asserted.

He reiterated the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by 15% by 2030 but stressed the need for flexibility to balance economic growth with environmental commitments.

The vice president also mentioned the government’s dedication to research and development, particularly in science and renewable energy.

The 2020 Resource Plan projected an increase in national power supply by over 1,200 megawatts, with several projects already in progress.

However, Gaolathe believes these projections underestimate Botswana’s true potential.

He further outlined the government’s strategic shift from coal-powered energy towards a solar-dominated industry. “Another important aspect of our diversification drive is the modernisation of the power sector, with a strategic shift towards a solar-dominated energy industry,” he emphasised.

“Solar energy presents a remarkable opportunity for our nation. With abundant sunshine throughout the year, Botswana is ideally positioned to harness this clean and sustainable resource to power our households, industries, and communities,” Gaolathe concluded.

Survey findings suggest strong support for the death penalty across various demographics. Women (86%) are more likely to back it than men (77%), and older citizens (85%) are more in favour compared to younger adults (75%). Notably, opinions on the issue are evenly distributed between urban and rural populations.

However, concerns about judicial fairness persist, with nearly four in ten respondents (38%) believing the legal system often treats people unequally, while 56% feel such occurrences are rare or non-existent.

The Afrobarometer study, conducted by Star Awards, surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult Batswana between July 6 and 19, 2024, with findings published on January 23, 2025.

Critics argue that the death penalty is applied inconsistently, disproportionately affecting certain groups. While Botswana remains the only Southern African country that still enforces capital punishment following Zimbabwe’s recent abolition of the practice, a Presidential Commission of Inquiry under former President Mokgweetsi Masisi recommended maintaining the law. Botswana has averaged one execution per year since 2019 and currently has 16 inmates on death row.

The debate over the death penalty has gained renewed attention in local politics, particularly since the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won last year’s general election. Under the leadership of President Duma Boko, a known human rights advocate, speculation has grown that Botswana might reconsider its stance on capital punishment. Boko has consistently argued against the death penalty, claiming it has not deterred rising murder rates in the country.

Dr. Christopher Nyanga, spokesperson for Botswana’s Ministry of Health, while acknowledging the critical role US aid has played in advancing Botswana’s healthcare system expressed concern over the potential consequences of the funding freeze.

“There is no doubt that without US support, Botswana may not have been one of the first countries to reach and exceed the ambitious UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets,” Nyanga told the Voice.

The UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression. Botswana has been a global leader in meeting these targets, but the sudden withdrawal of US funding threatens to reverse these gains.

A recent study shows that if USAID funding were paused for a year, 23 economies would experience a financial shock exceeding 1% of their Gross National Income (GNI), with eight facing a severe impact of 3% or more. Among them, eight low-income and eight lower-middle-income countries stand to lose over 20% of their total foreign assistance.

For decades, Botswana has benefitted from US foreign aid, particularly in healthcare, where funding has supported both direct service delivery and technical assistance. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), introduced in 2003, has contributed over P1 billion to Botswana’s health sector, significantly strengthening the country’s response to HIV/AIDS.

“I grew up seeing how technology was advancing globally, but it felt like our languages and cultures were being left behind,” Speaks explained to the Guardian Sun. He added that his determination to bridge the gap fuelled him to envision an AI that could seamlessly interact in Setswana.

To bring this vision to life, he partnered with Glen Mokoka, an experienced software engineer with a passion for African languages.

How Setswana AI works

Mokoka further explains that AI often sounds like something from a science fiction novel, but in reality, it is a highly advanced computer program capable of processing, understanding, and generating language.

“It can be used in various ways,” Mokoka elaborates. “In education, it can help students learn Setswana through interactive lessons or by translating difficult English concepts. In healthcare, it can provide medical information in Setswana, making it easier for people in rural areas to access essential health advice. Businesses can also benefit from it by using the AI for accounting, customer service, or even generating professional emails in Setswana.”

Highlighting the challenges in developing the Setswana AI noted that Setswana had limited digital linguistic resources. “We had to start from scratch. We collected books, newspapers, and even recorded conversations to build a dataset for the AI to learn from," Speaks said.

Another challenge was the complexity of Setswana grammar. “The way we use prefixes and suffixes can completely change the meaning of a word,” Mokoka explains. “Teaching the AI to recognise these patterns was a huge challenge.”

While the AI currently operates in standard Setswana, the innovators are working on incorporating regional dialects to make it more inclusive.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report has revealed that Botswana is unlikely to meet its 2025 malaria reduction target under the Global Technical Strategy (GTS). The 2024 World Malaria Report highlights a 40% rise in malaria case incidence in 2023, citing surveillance challenges as a key issue. The country aimed for a 75% reduction in malaria cases but is not on track, according to the  Sunday Standard .

Botswana supports ending Russia-Ukraine war

Botswana has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic values and its support for the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, welcomed Ukraine’s ambassador, Dr. Oleksiy Syvak, during a courtesy visit, Daily News reports. Keorapetse emphasised the importance of human rights and upholding international law, adding that Botswana’s foreign policy aligns with the UN Charter and peaceful governance.

Health sector revival underway

The government has made significant progress in the health sector as the Ministry of Health (MoH) ramped up efforts to address long surgical waiting lists. Out of 200 orthopaedic patients awaiting treatment, 120 have received surgeries, thanks to resource mobilisation and partnerships with private healthcare providers. According to Mmegi Online , patients have been distributed across Princess Marina Hospital, Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, and Mahalapye District Hospital to improve efficiency. According to the Health Ministry, these efforts align with the government’s commitment to universal health coverage.

Feminist groups criticise president’s GBV remarks

Feminist Alliance Botswana (FAB) and the GBV SOS Lobby Group have criticised President Duma Boko’s recent comments on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). During the Cabinet Orientation, the president questioned the categorisation of GBV as a subset of violence, a stance feminist groups described as a missed opportunity to advocate for stronger policies against GBV. In an open letter, the groups urged the President to focus on actionable strategies to combat assaults, harassment, and violence against women and girls, emphasising that GBV is a distinct and critical issue. The groups asserted that the president's remarks “risked undermining the urgency of GBV as a national priority, which we believe should be deemed a state of emergency. We are concerned by remarks suggesting that ministers are being scapegoated for GBV. In a democracy, public accountability is not scapegoating, it is a duty. Citizens have the right to question and evaluate government actions, particularly in crises such as the GBV epidemic," the Guardian Sun quotes.

Botswana votes against UN death penalty moratorium

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Botswana, Zia Choudhury, has expressed concern over Botswana’s decision to vote against a UN resolution for a moratorium on executions. The resolution, aimed at abolishing the death penalty, received support from 130 member states. Sunday Standard reports that Botswana was among the 32 countries that voted against the measure. Choudhury warned that the death penalty makes miscarriages of justice irreversible and urged reconsideration of its use as a punishment.

Botswana's new climate plan prioritises adaptation to climate impacts like drought and floods over emissions reduction, garnering praise from African climate negotiators for addressing the unique challenges faced by low-emitting countries. The plan, submitted as part of the Paris Agreement, maintains a 15% emissions reduction target by 2030, but emphasises specific adaptation measures such as expanding water storage, promoting drought-resistant crops and cattle, and enhancing weather monitoring systems. With a budget of $2.1 billion for adaptation and $0.9 billion for mitigation, Botswana aims to address the severe climate threats it faces due to its semi-arid environment. Climate Change News reports that the plan includes over 50 targets and reflects a shift towards emphasising resilience in vulnerable nations. As countries prepare for the COP30 climate conference, discussions on measuring adaptation progress are expected to gain momentum.

Birth rate

On January 1, 2025, Botswana recorded 98 births, a significant increase from 46 the previous year, as announced by the Ministry of Health. Most births occurred in Gaborone, with additional numbers from Francistown and Maun. Despite an estimated population of 2,346,179 from the 2022 census, the country's growth is stagnant, with a projection of over 4 million residents not occurring for at least 58 years. President Duma Boko highlighted plans to encourage higher birth rates among locals, English News reports.

Namibian model shares plans

Namibian model and fashion designer Julia Kandjimbi, crowned Miss Africa Unite in Botswana last December, expresses excitement for her future. According to The Namibian , she described the experience as emotionally overwhelming and a significant validation of her dreams. Kandjimbi plans to focus on youth empowerment and community development through her Frans Foundation, aiming to launch awareness campaigns and mentorship programs for young Africans. She emphasises the importance of effective time management in balancing her responsibilities as Miss Africa Unite with personal and professional pursuits. Kandjimbi is committed to empowering young women through education, skills development, and mental health awareness. She encourages Namibians to support her initiatives and advises Africa's youth to embrace their uniqueness and work hard to overcome challenges.

Botswana supports SADR

The newly elected Speaker of Botswana’s National Assembly, Dithapelo L. Keorapetse, reaffirmed Botswana's support for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in a letter to the President of the National Sahrawi Council, Hamma Salama. Expressing gratitude for prior congratulations, Keorapetse highlighted the strong relationship between Botswana and the Sahrawi people and emphasised the need for stronger legislative ties. AL24 News reports that his message underlines Botswana's commitment to decolonisation and human rights, receiving a warm welcome from the Sahrawi Council amid ongoing struggles for self-determination in Africa.

China-Botswana relations

China and Botswana celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, with President Xi Jinping emphasising the steady development of their partnership despite global changes. He expressed confidence in the future growth and cooperation between the two nations, particularly in light of the upcoming 2025 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) outcomes. Xi highlighted the desire to further strengthen mutual trust and support each other's interests. Botswana's Duma Boko recognised the anniversary as a significant milestone in bilateral history, Plenglish reports.

The rhinos were not the only victims. Over the past week, three zebras, four wildebeest, four fish eagles, and several goats and cattle also succumbed to the poisoning after drinking from Lake Chivero, located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Harare.

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, is highly toxic to both animals and humans.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo explained that the pollution in Lake Chivero is primarily due to the Harare city council depositing raw sewage into the lake.

"The city of Harare is depositing raw sewage into the lake. You know very well that a lot of activities polluting the lake that is happening there," he said.

Despite efforts to deter wildlife from accessing the contaminated water by placing salt blocks and game nuts around the park, as well as providing artificial water points with clean water, the measures proved insufficient.

"We have put salt blocks within the park. We have also introduced some water bodies, not from the lake, which we felt that it was clean water but because the animals are used to drinking water from the lake, it was really difficult for us to make sure that the rhinos or any other animals in the park drink water not from the lake but from what we have introduced." 

Meanwhile, the same pollutant has been confirmed to have killed several elephants in Botswana in 2020.

Over 350 elephants in Botswana's Okavango Delta died after consuming water tainted with toxic algae.

The contaminated waterholes were spread across 6,000 square kilometres in the Okavango Delta. According to researchers, elephants died after drinking from these waterholes.

They concluded that averagely, the elephants walked just 16 kilometres before collapsing because their carcasses were found near the waterholes.

Cyanobacteria thrive in certain conditions, such as rising water temperatures and increased nutrients. Scientists believe these environmental triggers caused the algae to release toxins that killed the elephants. However, researchers could not test the exact water toxicity at the time due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Experts warn this could happen again, especially in areas where animals rely on stagnant water.

They warn that smaller animals might also be affected, but their deaths are harder to detect. The algae can harm aquatic life too, as seen in other water systems around the world.

The Botswana government has since officially attributed the mass elephant deaths to cyanobacterial toxins.

Meanwhile, scientists are calling for better monitoring of water sources in the area to prevent any more future incidents.

Miss Botswana 2025 has announced its Top 30 finalists following countrywide auditions. Reigning queen Anicia Gaothusi emphasised the importance of unity and support among contestants during the reveal event. According to Mmegionline , she advised the finalists to embrace their true selves, highlighting authenticity, uniqueness, and resilience as key to succeeding in the competition. The contestants are currently participating in a boot camp at The Escapade, where they will be narrowed down to the Top 20, and eventually to the Top 10 for the finals. Miss Botswana Public Relations Officer Ambrocia Samboko noted that they successfully met their goal of visiting 24 locations during the selection process.

Economic stability

Policymakers and experts from across Africa are gathered in Gaborone, Botswana, for the 2024 African Economic Conference, themed “Securing Africa’s Economic Future Amidst Rising Uncertainty.” The conference will address pressing economic challenges, focusing on resilience through African-led solutions, innovative financing, and technology, People’s Gazette reports. Key highlights include a keynote address by Botswana President Duma Boko, presentations from notable figures like the AfDB Chief Economist Prof. Kevin Urama, and a research competition recognising impactful academic contributions. The event aims to generate actionable recommendations for economic stability, concluding on November 25. Participants can join in person or virtually.

Malaria elimination

Botswana is intensifying efforts to eliminate malaria, having pursued this goal for over a decade despite fluctuating case numbers influenced by climate change and programmatic weaknesses. With cases typically below 1,000 annually, the focus has shifted to enhancing malaria surveillance systems through timely data collection and analysis. The Botswana Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO experts, is working to improve data reporting and inform decision-making using the DHIS2 reporting tool. National Malaria Program Officer Dr. Lisani Ntoni expressed hopes for increased confidence among users in utilizing the system, while Public Health Director Sam Kolane emphasised that strengthening health informatics capacity aligns with the Ministry's digitalisation goals.

Funding visually impaired surgeries

Collaborative efforts in Botswana have raised P315,000 ($23,056) to support the visually impaired by funding cataract surgeries and refurbishing the Mochudi Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired. Cataracts account for 46.9% of blindness cases in Botswana, and over 20,000 individuals are waiting for surgeries. Medlane is funding 15 cataract surgeries at P11,000 ($805.14) each, which will restore not just sight, but also independence for patients, according to Mmegionline . Meanwhile, Agora Club Botswana is leading a P150,000 refurbishment project for the centre, enhancing the living conditions for 40 children with visual impairments and learning challenges. The initiatives highlight the importance of healthcare and education in supporting vulnerable populations and aim to inspire community engagement for sustainable solutions.

Economic diversification

Botswana, heavily reliant on diamonds for 80% of its foreign earnings, is diversifying its economy following a 60% drop in diamond revenues, Africa.com reports. President Duma Boko's government aims to attract investment in renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and technology, while also focusing on job creation in manufacturing, construction, and fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Zimbabweans will be given temporary work and residence permits rather than face deportations like they have over time.

Boko told the BBC he hopes that the large Zimbabwean population fleeing economic woes in their country would be properly recognised and motivated to engage in formal work instead of criminal activities.

"They come in and are undocumented. Then their access to amenities is limited, if it is available at all, and what they then do is they live outside the law and they commit crimes - and this brings resentment," he said.

"So what we need to do is to formalise, have a proper arrangement that recognises that people from Zimbabwe are already here."

President Boko added that the initiative will also provide an opportunity for Botswana citizens to learn basic skills like welding and plumbing from Zimbabweans.

"In any and every construction site in Botswana the majority of people with those skills are from Zimbabwe, so we need to do a twin programme of allowing them to come in and we utilise the skills that they have and in the process of utilising these skills we also engage in some sort of skills transfer," he said.

"We can’t stop people with skills from coming in when we don't have the skills ourselves - we need to develop these skills and it takes time, so in the interregnum we need to have them come in properly, come in legally and be rewarded appropriately for the skills that they bring."

Statistics show that over 98% of immigrants in Botswana are Zimbabweans.

Earlier, a minister said in parliament that of the 13,489 immigrants recorded in Botswana, 13,189 were Zimbabweans.

Most of these immigrants are arrested for lacking papers or being involved in crimes.

The BDP, which has held power since the country’s independence from Britain in 1966, managed to secure only six seats, marking its lowest total ever.

Outgoing president Mokgweetsi Masisi acknowledged the unexpected defeat, stating, "We got it wrong big time in the eyes of the people."

Political analysts are calling this a "seismic shift" in Botswana's political landscape. Independent analyst Olopeng Rabasimane commented, "Change is here," noting the potential for Boko's presidency to transform the country based on the ambitious pledges made during the UDC's campaign.

These include plans to create up to 500,000 jobs, build 100,000 houses in five years, reduce water and electricity tariffs by 30 percent, and provide health insurance for all citizens.

In his acceptance speech, Boko emphasized his intention to introduce a minimum wage of 4,000 pula (approximately $300) and to stabilize relationships with diamond industry partners while diversifying the economy away from its dependence on diamonds.

Voter concerns included the high unemployment rate, which stands at around 27 percent, and the growing disparity between rich and poor.

However, Boko's administration will face a challenging financial situation. Keith Jefferis, an independent economist and former government official, pointed out that the new government is stepping into power amid financial difficulties, worsened by years of overspending and declining diamond sales; the mainstay of Botswana's economy.

"They're coming into power at a time when government finances are in a very, very bad state, partly because previous governments have been overspending for years," he told AFP.

With an impressive 80 percent turnout from over one million registered voters, expectations for the UDC are high.

Masisi, who has led the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) since 2018, stated he would begin the necessary administrative work to facilitate a smooth transition.

The BDP has been in power since Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966.

Preliminary tallies indicate that three opposition parties collectively won at least 31 out of 61 seats in the national legislature, positioning them to form the next government.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) emerged as a significant force, securing over 24 seats, while the Botswana Congress Party and Botswana Patriotic Front garnered around a dozen seats between them.

If confirmed by the electoral commission later today, UDC leader Duma Boko, a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer, will be poised to assume the presidency.

Masisi expressed his readiness to transition into a role as a loyal opposition party, committed to holding the new government accountable.

Following Wednesday’s parliamentary vote, which also decides the next president, the BDP expressed confidence in its ability to retain control in the diamond-rich nation.

However, early results from local council elections indicated a strong showing by the left-leaning Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), raising speculation about the potential outcome of the parliamentary race. Election authorities are expected to announce results later in the day.

Voting proceeded smoothly in a country that prides itself on its democratic tradition since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, making it the oldest democracy in the region despite being consistently governed by the BDP.

Under Botswana's first-past-the-post electoral system, the party that secures 31 of the 61 parliamentary seats will be declared the winner and install its candidate as president.

Masisi, 63, who was elected in 2019 with 52 per cent of the vote, declared after voting that "victory is certain" for his second term. He faces competition from UDC leader Duma Boko, a 54-year-old human rights lawyer, Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).

The UDC raised concerns about irregularities during voting, reminiscent of the 2019 elections when their attempts to contest results were dismissed in court.

Analysts suggest that the new government will need to address Botswana's economic dependence on diamonds. "The first priority for the next government would be to stabilize the economy and create strategic certainty in the mining sector," said independent political commentator Olopeng Rabasimane.

Polls opened at 6:30 AM local time for over a million registered voters, with four presidential candidates vying for leadership in the region’s oldest democracy, established after independence from Britain in 1966.

Lone Kobe, a 38-year-old self-employed woman, expressed her eagerness to vote, stating, "I can't wait to voice my opinion. I want to see a new Botswana."

She emphasised concerns about economic inequality, noting that many feel like mere spectators in their country’s development.

Muthisi Kemo, a 56-year-old unemployed man, echoed calls for true democracy and raised concerns about irregularities within the Independent Electoral Authority (IEC), which he claimed favoured the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

Voter apprehensions were heightened by allegations of mismanagement and corruption, coupled with an unemployment rate reaching 27%. Opposition groups criticized the IEC for not providing a digital version of the voters' roll and reported shortages of ballot papers during early voting.

President Masisi, 63, wrapped up his campaign with a rally of about 400 supporters, promising to "polish" his initiatives if re-elected. Many loyalists, like Queen Mosiane, 34, spoke of the government's support during personal hardships, asserting that stability under the BDP is crucial.

The main opposition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), faced challenges due to fragmentation, losing key allies who are now fielding their own candidates.

This division has left voters like Ookeditse Letshwenyo, 23, feeling disillusioned, as he believes unity is essential to challenge the BDP’s long-standing rule.

The elections are being closely watched, with 61 parliamentary seats up for grabs. A party needs to secure 31 seats to claim victory and appoint its candidate as president. Counting will commence after polls close at 7:00 PM local time, with results expected by late Thursday.

The eBoat is part of a series of eco-friendly transport solutions recently introduced by the government, as highlighted in a speech by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, delivered on his behalf by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane.

Tsogwane underscored the eBoat’s significance in realising Botswana’s vision for a sustainable future. "The electric boat represents not just a technological advancement, but a vision of a future where transportation is not a burden on the environment but a harmonious part of it,” he remarked.

He further noted the eBoat’s alignment with eco-friendly principles, adding, “With zero emissions, reduced noise pollution, and the ability to harness renewable energy sources, our electric boat embodies the principles of sustainability that are so crucial to our green ambitions as Botswana.”

This launch follows Botswana’s unveiling of its first locally assembled electric vehicles (EVs) earlier in October in the capital, Gaborone. In collaboration with Chinese vehicle manufacturers Skywell and CHTC Kinwin, the government aims to promote these locally assembled EVs to encourage interest in e-mobility across the nation.

“This is one of the examples of our commitment to e-mobility,” said President Masisi at the unveiling. “We want to play a part in this, not just for our economy and environment, but also to enhance those aspects of our knowledge economy that optimise our natural endowments.”

Botswana-trained engineers assembled the locally assembled vehicles .

The diamond was found by Lucara Diamond Corp., and it is the sixth stone weighing over 1,000 carats recovered from the mine.

The newly found diamond shares similarities with a 692-carat diamond discovered earlier in 2023. Both are expected to yield high-value polished stones through an ongoing partnership with HB Antwerp, a leading diamond company.

The previous 692-carat diamond was polished and sold for over $13 million.

Other large stones including the 1,758-carat Sewelo and the 1,109 Lesedi la Rona have also been recovered from the Karowe mine with the latest being a 2,492-carat diamond found by the company.

The diamond is considered the second largest gem-quality example ranking behind the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond mined from South Africa in 1905.

Botswana is renowned for its diamond resources, and Karowe has been at the centre of some of the world's most notable diamonds.

The country’s diamond discoveries play a crucial role in Botswana’s economy and Lucara hopes to improve the country’s fortunes on that front with an underground expansion at Karowe.

After a five-year suspension, school sports in Botswana have officially returned. The suspension, caused by a 2018 boycott over unpaid coaching duties, ended following successful negotiations between the government and the teachers’ union, the Voice reports. The government has allocated P55 million (approximately $4 million) to fund the program for the current financial year. “There is no need to dwell on why school sports took so long to return. What’s important is that school sports are back, and we can now continue our mission of placing sports development at the forefront. We faced numerous challenges in bringing the program back - we were constantly in meetings with the teachers’ union, looking for common ground. But today, I am proud to say that school sports are back, and they are here to stay,” Minister of Youth, Gender, Sports, and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, announced during a homecoming ceremony for Botswana’s Olympic athletes at Maun Sports Complex. 

Bank of Botswana cuts interest rate

The Bank of Botswana has reduced its Monetary Policy Rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down from 2.15 percent to 1.9 percent. The decision follows concerns over the country's economic prospects, particularly the slowdown in the diamond sector and a 5.3 percent contraction in real GDP in the first quarter of 2024, the Gazette reports. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) highlighted the impact of reduced export earnings on government spending and overall economic activity. The MPC noted in a statement that, “the reduced export earnings are likely to constrain government spending, which in turn will have a negative impact on overall economic activity.”

China-Africa summit

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has confirmed his attendance at the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, scheduled to take place from September 4-6. The summit, themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," will feature a keynote address by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The event is expected to be the largest gathering of African leaders in China since 2018 and it will also count as Jinping’s third appearance at the event since ascending to power in 2014. 

Air access project

Botswana has launched the Botswana Air Access project, an initiative aimed at improving international air connectivity and positioning the country as a key business and logistics hub in Southern Africa. The project is a concerted effort involving the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), and other stakeholders, local news portal Mmegi reports. CAAB CEO Bao Mosinyi emphasised the importance of enhancing the country’s connectivity to accelerate development. 

Budgetary concerns

Botswana's budget transparency has come under scrutiny, with the latest Open Budget Index (OBI) revealing a drop in the country’s transparency score from 38 in 2019 to 34 in 2021. UNICEF's recent analysis of Botswana's 2022-2023 national budget has raised concerns about declining public involvement in the budgeting process. The report highlights that the public participation score, which measures citizen input in the budget, dropped from 9 to just 6 out of 100 during this period, the Sunday Standard reports.

The gem was found at the Karowe Diamond Mine using advanced X-ray technology, surpassing the previous record for the largest diamond found in the country.

Lucara did not release an estimated value for the diamond. It is only second to the 3,016-carat Cullinan Diamond from South Africa, discovered in 1905.

Botswana, a major diamond producer, depends heavily on its diamond industry, which makes up 30% of its GDP and 80% of its exports. The country’s diamond wealth, discovered shortly after gaining independence in 1966, has driven its economic success.

"With a diamond of this magnitude, I can see roads being built," said Botswana's President, Mokgweetsi Masisi who unveiled the diamond.

"We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond," said Lucara’s head, William Lamb. The discovery was made using Lucara's advanced Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, which has been in use since 2017 to detect and preserve high-value diamonds during the ore-crushing process.

The newly discovered diamond is yet to be fully assessed, so its quality and potential yield remain unknown. However, its size is comparable to the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, the largest ever found, which was discovered in South Africa nearly 120 years ago.

This find surpasses the previous record in Botswana, a 1,758-carat diamond also recovered from the Karowe mine in 2019. Botswana is one of the world’s leading diamond producers, contributing about 20% of global diamond production.

Background

Botswana recently celebrated a historic achievement when Letsile Tebogo won the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men's 200m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory brought immense pride to the nation and was a significant milestone in Botswana's sporting history. However, the celebrations were soon overshadowed by the government's appeal for public donations to reward the athletes.

Government's request

On August 14, the Botswana government announced a fund to honour the Olympic champions, asking citizens to contribute financially. The government stated that this initiative was a way for the public to show their appreciation and support for the athletes who brought glory to the nation.

The request, unfortunately, was met with widespread criticism and anger. Many questioned why their taxes were not being used to reward the Olympians.

Social media platforms have been flooded with comments from citizens expressing their frustration. "We are already paying tax, give our champions money from the government purse," one user on Facebook remarked.

Another user on the same platform also shared "I would love to donate in support of the boy’s historic achievement, but unfortunately, I’m currently an unemployed electrical engineering graduate with a bachelor’s degree."

Economic situation

Botswana's GDP growth slowed to 2.7% in 2023, down from 5.8% in 2022. According to the World Bank , this decline is attributed to reduced diamond production and weaker global demand.

However, inflation has decreased to 5.3% in 2023, within the Bank of Botswana's acceptable range of 3%–6%. This reduction is due to lower domestic fuel prices and reduced imported inflation.

The country also faces high unemployment rates, with overall unemployment at 25.9% and youth unemployment at 34.4% as of the third quarter of 2023.

Despite a relatively high income level, Botswana has significant poverty and inequality issues. The poverty headcount ratio decreased from 17.0% in 2019 to 14.5% in 2022, but inequality remains high with a Gini index of 53.3.

Other countries' rewards to medallists

Before the Paris Olympics, Hong Kong announced that any gold medalists from the city would receive one of the largest cash rewards available: HK$6 million (over $750,000). This is part of the Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the city's official betting organiser.

Several other governments also promised six-figure cash rewards to their Olympic champions, including those of Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Italy, the Philippines, Hungary, Kosovo, Estonia, and Egypt.

Botswana welcomed home first-ever Olympic gold medallist Letsile Tebogo with thousands of ecstatic fans. Tebogo set an African record time of 19.46 seconds in the men’s 200m event in Paris. The nationwide celebration also includes a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay, bringing the country’s total Olympic medal tally to four. President Mokgweetsi Masisi joined in the celebration, granting a half-day holiday for the historic occasion, APA News reports.

Stake in HB Antwerp

Botswana is seeking to acquire a larger stake in HB Antwerp, a diamond manufacturer, at no extra cost. The government initially planned to buy 24% of HB, but now wants a 49.9% stake. Rapaport reports that the acquisition aims to enable independent price discovery for Botswana’s Okavango Diamond Company, create jobs, and give the country ownership of diamond-cutting technology. HB Antwerp was founded in 2021 by individuals with 105 years of industry experience. The company has not commented on the negotiations.

First 100 MW solar photovoltaic power station project

Botswana signed a power purchase agreement with Sinotswana Green Energy to launch its first 100 MW solar photovoltaic power station project. The project is part of Botswana's plan to increase its renewable energy use to 50 percent by 2036 and is expected to start power generation by the end of 2025. According to Xinhua , the consortium behind the project includes Chinese and Botswana companies, with China Habor Engineering Company controlling the stake. The initiative is in line with Botswana's energy policy goal to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Airlink apologises for premature flight sales

Airlink has apologised to Botswana's Civil Aviation Authority for prematurely advertising flights between Cape Town and Gaborone. The airline was fined for advertising flights before they were authorised and has since withdrawn the flights from its reservation system. The CEO of Airlink acknowledged the oversight and stated that the process of including the route on their permit is still being finalized. According to CH-Aviation , the CAAB has instructed Airlink to cease ticket sales and advertising for the route.

Botswana as an athletic powerhouse

Botswana's emergence as an athletics powerhouse was highlighted at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where sprinter Letsile Tebogo won gold in the men's 200m. This success was the result of a strategic plan for athletics development, including talent identification, high-performance training, national support programmes, and investment in sports science and technology. Graphic Business reports that Tebogo's rise has inspired a new generation of athletes and reignited a passion for athletics in Botswana. The country is committed to hosting international sports events to continue its growth as an emerging power in athletics.

The sprinter was greeted by excited crowds at the airport in Gaborone, where families, elderly people, and young supporters waved the national flag.

Hundreds of people gathered at the small airport to celebrate Tebogo, who won the men’s 200m in Paris on August 8 with an African record time of 19.46 seconds, defeating American sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles.

Tebogo, 21, became the first African to win the men's 200m. He also won a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay, bringing Botswana’s total Olympic medals to four.

Traditional dancers in animal skins and beads performed outside the airport, with celebrations continuing at the national stadium. The holiday declared by Botswana's President in honour of Tebogo's win on August 9 allowed the nation of 2.3 million to join in the festivities.

Tebogo’s gold is only the second Olympic medal in the men’s 200m for an African athlete, following Namibian Frankie Fredericks’ silver in 1996.

These countries, all Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area members, will now participate in the expanded "univisa." According to Reuters , the univisa currently covers Zambia and Zimbabwe, allowing short visits to Botswana via Kazungula, a small border town in Zambia.

During a recent summit in Livingstone, Zambia, KAZA leaders agreed to extend the univisa’s coverage to additional countries within both the conservation area and the larger Southern African economic community.

"We must simply say that this will happen," Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema declared in his address. "I am grateful that my colleagues have reached a consensus on the univisa," he added.

Botswana’s Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane, confirmed his country’s commitment to fully adopt the univisa, enhancing its role by mirroring the European Union's Schengen Visa for Southern Africa.

Currently, only five African nations ; Seychelles, The Gambia, Benin, Kenya, and Rwanda allow visa-free travel for African citizens. Kenya's President William Ruto emphasised the importance of easing visa restrictions within Africa at a summit in Congo Brazzaville in 2023.

“Visa restrictions amongst ourselves are working against us. When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers,” he stated .

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) annual survey shows a stagnation in the manufacturing sector's performance, with declining capacity utilisation and contribution to GDP. According to The Zimbabwe Mail , despite increased investments, output has not risen. Manufacturers expressed concerns about the economic outlook and trade readiness, with doubts about competing effectively in the global market. Strategic interventions are needed to revitalise the sector.

Zimpaper ranked among the top 200 superbrands

Zimbabwe Newspapers Limited (Zimpapers) has three brands, including The Herald and Star FM, ranked among the country's Top 200 Superbrands. According to the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe, these brands are positively impacting the lives of consumers and have been dominating the market. The Herald adds that the Top 20 brands will be announced at the end of the year after further research.

Botswana collaborations

Zimbabwe and Botswana are strengthening their relations through economic diplomacy, leading to increased trade and regional integration. Despite illegal sanctions, the two countries are focused on self-reliance and empowerment. According to The Herald , the emphasis is on economic creativity, food security, and empowering young people and rural women. Both countries are working towards becoming regional trade and investment centres. The Botswana Ambassador promised to continue pursuing cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

World Press Freedom Day

MISA Zimbabwe marked World Press Freedom Day with a focus on the environmental crisis. The organisation highlighted the media’s role in raising awareness and addressing urgent environmental challenges, such as climate change and deforestation. They emphasised the importance of using media platforms to empower communities, hold decision-makers accountable, and advocate for sustainable policies, The Herald reports.

Investment pull

Zimbabwe's Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, will lead the Capital Markets and Investment Promotion Conference in London next month. The event aims to attract foreign capital and showcase investment potential in various sectors. The Zimbabwe Mail reports that the conference will feature presentations from industry representatives and companies listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, with a focus on creating strategic partnerships and attracting institutional investors. The goal is to position Zimbabwe as a promising investment destination and drive sustainable growth and development.

Seychelles and Botswana are collaborating on agriculture, education, and tourism projects. The new High Commissioner of Botswana presented her credentials to Seychelles President and discussed trade, investments, and connectivity, as well as the impact of import restrictions on Botswana's diamond trade, Seychelles News Agency reports. “Botswana is interested to learn from Seychelles' experiences in dealing with victims of substance abuse and rehabilitation process, Seychelles is keen to learn more from Botswana's agricultural success," said the Seychelles Foreign Affairs Department.

Low female candidates for election

As Botswana prepares for general elections in October, the number of women running for office remains low, with only 20 out of nearly 200 candidates for the National Assembly being women, according to VoA News . Gender activists are concerned about the lack of female representation in elected positions, and there is a call for gender quotas and amendments to electoral laws to support women in political leadership. Botswana falls short of achieving gender parity as advocated by the Southern Africa Development Community. Other countries in the region have higher women representation in parliament.

New British High Commissioner to Botswana

The UK government has appointed Giles Enticknap MBE as the new British High Commissioner to Botswana, taking over from Sian Price who is relocating to another position in the Diplomatic Service, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced . Enticknap is expected to begin his new role in August 2024.

Zimbabweans sentenced for human smuggling

Twelve Zimbabweans were sentenced to smuggling in persons and entering Botswana through an illegal point of entry, local media Mmegi reports. Eleven out of the twelve pleaded guilty to entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry.  The dozen were intercepted with six minors en route to South Africa, according to Mmegi. The socio-economic situation in Zimbabwe was a major factor in their actions. Most of the convicts pleaded for mercy, citing their intention to seek greener pastures in Botswana.

New additions to barred fresh produce imports

Botswana has extended its ban on certain fresh produce imports to four years, set to expire at the end of 2025—the ban, which included 19 horticultural items, aimed to boost local agriculture and reduce import expenditure. Botswana Minister Fidelis Molao plans to introduce additional items by July. The ban has resulted in a 71% reduction in the horticultural import bill and significantly increased local production volumes. However, meeting domestic demand remains a challenge.

Since its implementation, local farming has improved with considerable growth in local produce and the country has saved money on the import bill.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) annual conference in Maun, Minister Molao said, “through these restrictions, the import bill on horticultural products was reduced by 71 percent from P634 million ($46 million) in 2018 to P186 million ($13 million) by 2023”.

“From 67, 612 tonnes in production in 2021 we are now reporting 86, 260.20 tonnes as at 2023, which translates to 21.6 percent growth in terms of what Batswana are able to produce and are able to take to the market,” Molao was quoted by local media outlet The Voice BW .

Despite this, there are still calls for more support for small-scale farmers and local farmers for the production of high-end products. The government is also investing in a collection centre for the storage of produce.

Meanwhile, Minister Molao is yet to indicate which particular fruits and vegetables will be added to the list although it is suggested that lemons and oranges may be included due to a promising first harvest of the Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project in the country this year.

The ban is expected to be in effect till the end of 2025.

The list of banned items includes tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric, chilli peppers, butternut, watermelon, sweet peppers, green mealie, fresh herbs, rape, choumoellier, and strawberries.

"This is an excellent foundation to incorporate AI to assist in a comprehensive search for new diamond deposits and potentially other minerals," he told Mining Weekly .

Teeling emphasized the immense scale of their database which has been described as the country's second-largest diamond exploration information set.

With a staggering 380 gigabytes of data and 260,000 files covering 95,000 sq km, the database includes crucial information from 375,000 km of airborne geophysical input, 606 ground geophysical surveys, 228,000 soil sample results, and 32,000 drill hole logs.

Recognising the limitations of human analysis in handling such vast datasets, Teeling highlighted the necessity of AI-driven solutions.

"Large databases like ours are suited to analysis by computer-based large AI techniques that can analyse substantial amounts of data in a short time," he explained. "Our mineral database in Botswana is simply vast. Too big for timely analysis by humans."

To execute this initiative, BOD disclosed that it will leverage Planetary AI Ltd Xplore, a sophisticated system that combines semantic technology with machine learning.

This technology enables computers to interpret the meaning and context of geological data, similar to a geologist, but at a significantly faster pace, according to BOD.

Botswana's diamond exploration industry plays a pivotal role in the country's economy, with diamond mining contributing approximately 20% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022. Diamond cutting, polishing, and trading accounted for an additional 5% of the GDP. While alongside copper-nickel and silver, diamonds constituted 92% of Botswana's total exports.

"It is very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana. We are paying the price for preserving these animals for the world," President Masisi expressed to Bild , emphasizing Botswana's conservation efforts.

President Masisi contends that conservation efforts have led to an explosion in elephant numbers and that controlled hunting serves to manage the population, which often causes property damage, and crop consumption, and poses risks to residents.

Botswana, home to over 130,000 elephants, has previously relocated thousands to neighbouring countries like Angola and Mozambique to address overpopulation issues.

"We would like to offer such a gift to Germany… it was not a joke and we would not take no for an answer," Masisi asserted, highlighting Botswana's determination to address the elephant population crisis.

In a similar vein, Botswana's wildlife minister, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, threatened to send 10,000 elephants to Britain's Hyde Park after members of the UK Parliament voted in favour of a ban on importing hunting trophies in March. "They are killing children who get in their path. They trample and eat farmers’ crops leaving Africans hungry," Mthimkhulu said.

A number of nations, including Belgium, France, and Australia, have outlawed the sale of hunting trophies. The Southern African nation banned trophy hunting in 2014 but lifted restrictions in 2019 due to pressure from local communities. The country has even explored unconventional solutions like using elephants for pet food .

Over the years, elephant numbers in Botswana have surged from fewer than 10,000 in the early 1960s to 50,000 by 1990, and 80,000 by the mid-1990s.

In the face of scorching temperatures and a prolonged dry spell, local farmers in Botswana are grappling with the devastating impact on their crops. Many chose to forgo ploughing altogether, discouraged by accurate forecasts predicting relentless heat waves. As the southern part of the country concluded its ploughing season on February 14 (extended to February 27 in the north), farmers faced the harsh reality of crops withering away under the scorching sun. Despite some being encouraged by late December rainfall, the summer sun proved ruthless, leaving barren land and burned crops. One of the hardest-hit groups is the Mosisedi Commercial Farmers in the Borolong area, just beyond Lobatse, the Voice has reported. Comprising 18 farmers with a usual combined hectarage of 10,000, this year saw only 3,000 hectares being ploughed. “Of course, it was predicted that it would be a dry season, but the intensity of it is not what we expected. We have been through many drought seasons, but it was never like this. At this point in time, we have farmers who planted early, but to this stage, most of them are at 65–70 per cent loss of the crops, and there is no chance of recovery. As we plough, we target high yields, so when I started, I was expecting four-and-a-half tons. I will be very lucky to get one-and-a-half because I have crops that are dead completely. We just hope those crops planted last will survive,” said Mosisedi Farmers Association Chair, Gofa Mapitse.

Supplementary voter registration

Botswana's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has scheduled a supplementary voter registration period from February 26 to March 15 in response to a disappointing first phase of voter registration. The decision to conduct a supplementary registration follows the revelation that the IEC achieved only 69% of its targeted 1.7 million voters during the initial registration phase, local news outlet Mmegi reports. The first registration period, initially set from January 5 to February 3, faced legal challenges between the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and the IEC. The supplementary registration will take place in 61 constituencies. The IEC's notice emphasizes that citizens aged 18 and above, in possession of a valid national identity card (Omang), and not disqualified under Section 6, are encouraged to apply in person for registration during the appointed period at the office of the principal registration officer for their constituency.

Trade wars and value chain deficits

A board member of Farmers United, Moses Moloi, has revealed that horticulture farmers in Botswana are losing more than 65% of their produce due to the absence of value chains both upstream and downstream. The lack of processing facilities leads to significant wastage, and Moloi stressed the importance of creating additional value chains to address this issue, the Guardian Sun reports. Moloi highlighted the opportunity for the country's youth to capitalize on this market gap by establishing processing facilities. He emphasized the critical role of value chains in the horticulture industry to foster growth and meet national demand. Currently, farmers face challenges such as seasonal production and limited access to funding, preventing them from fulfilling the country's demand. As per Moloi, the lack of proper collaboration among farmers compromises the sustainable growth of the industry, urging the need for collective efforts. While the local demand for various crops like potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and maize exists, production falls short, contributing to the reliance on imports. The government's vegetable import ban, implemented in January 2022, has reduced the import bill by about 71%, with Botswana and Namibia extending the ban until 2025.

Road and rail Bridge

Botswana and Zambia have taken a significant step in their bilateral relations by jointly committing to share the maintenance costs of the Kazungula Bridge, a road and rail bridge over the Zambezi River between Botswana and Zambia. This decision was made during the recent Joint Ministerial Committee and the 56th Botswana-Zambia Bilateral Meeting held in Gaborone. To facilitate this commitment, the two countries have established the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA), which will oversee the maintenance expenses of the bridge. Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale, notes that toll gate fees will be utilized to cover these costs, although Botswana is currently in the process of establishing toll gates, the Gazette News reports. “We have approved the guidelines on tourism, which will help how we handle people who have come to marvel at the wonder and how to handle local and international tourists. We have also agreed that we are going to jointly develop our waterfronts to facilitate tourism. Both countries have kicked off the processes; they are at different stages,” said Minister Molale. Both Botswana and Zambia have initiated waterfront projects at the bridge, to enhance tourism in the area.

Interest rate

Botswana's central bank has decided to maintain its main interest rate at 2.40%, according to an announcement on Thursday. Bank of Botswana Governor Cornelius Dekop mentioned that the country's economy is projected to operate below full capacity in the short term, mitigating demand-driven inflationary pressures. The central bank revised its average inflation forecast for 2024 to 4%, down from the 4.9% predicted in December, Reuters reports. Factors contributing to this adjustment include lower expected inflation in Botswana's trading partners, weakened international commodity prices, and a stronger local currency against the South African rand. In January, inflation rose to 3.9% year-on-year, up from 3.5% in December. The governor anticipates that February's inflation will remain at 3.9%. This decision follows the bank's move to lower its policy rate to 2.40% during its last monetary policy meeting in December, marking a decrease from the previous rate of 2.65% that had been in place for over a year.

The 300m world record was previously held by South African athlete Wayde van Niekerk after he ran 30.81 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on 28 June 2017.

“He's a brother to me. We share the good vibes. There's no bad energy between us… so thank you (van Niekerk) for always pushing me and telling me not to belittle myself. Thank you so much, mate,” Tebogo is reported by the South African news agency Times Live to have said after he broke the world record set by van Niekerk

Tebego now joins an exclusive list of four athletes in the world to have run under 31 seconds for the discipline. American sprinter Michael Johnson who ran 30.85 in Pretoria to set the 300m world record in 2000, Usain Bolt’s 30.97 in 2010, and Wayde van Niekerk’s 30.81 in 2017.

The young athlete who also won bronze in the 200m race and silver in the 100m event in the 2023 World Athletics Championships will be looking to have a similar impact in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics in July.

Two police officers and two civilians are facing the law over the alleged theft of US$ 4,000 from a Chinese national. According to local news platform The Voice , the officers Leatile Scotch and Tshidiso Serero both from the Francistown Central Police Station allegedly robbed the victim Liya Wu on February 6, along the Blue Jacket Street together with their civilian accomplices Edwin Othusitse and Themba Bagai. They voluntarily handed over themselves to the police after learning they were wanted. The four were granted bail of 2,000 Pula (US$146) by the Francistown Magistrates Court on February 12 and were asked to present two sureties each.

Trade relations

Botswana and Zambia have settled on plans to form the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA) aimed at enhancing global trade and investment between both countries. Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced that the authority’s headquarters will be based in Botswana with a Zambian national as its Chief Executive Officer. The authority will ensure the operation and maintenance of the bridge as well as transform the Kazungula One Stop Border Post into a preferred facility for travellers. The Kazungula Bridge is a road and rail bridge over the Zambezi River that lies between Zambia and Botswana at the town of Kazungula, Daily News reports.

Diamond certification

Botswana’s Minister of Finance Peggy Serame has said the imposed certification of diamonds in Antwerp, Belgium is a threat to the benefits Botswana can get from its diamonds. According to her, the decision by the G7 countries to streamline the certification of diamonds will diversely impact the country’s economy. “There are several risks which, if not mitigated can reverse some of the macro-fiscal gains achieved so far. These include risks in the diamond sector stemming from weak economic activity in the major trading economies. Risks in the diamond sector, particularly in the beneficiation sub-sector will also be worsened by the G7 plan to verify the origin of non-Russian goods through diamond certification in Antwerp, Belgium. This may adversely affect the country’s ability to accumulate foreign exchange reserves and Government revenue,” Serame was quoted by local news outlet The Sunday Standard .

  Zimbabwe and Botswana relations

Zimbabwe President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has left his Botswana counterpart, Botswana’s President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi following the conclusion of the 4th session of Botswana- Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) that was held in Maun in Northern Botswana. President Dr Mnangagwa invited President Mokgweetsi Masisi to attend the 5th Session of the BNC scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe next year, Daily News reports.

Fire disaster

A three-month-old twin baby died in a fire disaster in the Goodhope village in Botswana. According to details of the incident which was reported on February 9, the fire occurred in the morning while the twins slept alongside their six-year-old cousin who was awake. Their mother, 17 years old was outside washing while her grandmother was away working. Upon hearing screams she fetched water to extinguish and called her grandmother without checking if the fire was completely out. The other twin survived with the six-year-old, The Voice reported.

South Africa was the first African country t o protect LGBTQ+ people in its constitution in 2006. The country also prohibits discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. President Cyril Ramaphosa later in 2020 passed a bill that prevents marriage officers from refusing to conduct same-sex marriages, local news agency News24 reported.

Countries including Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Seychelles, and Mauritius have all decriminalised homosexuality in the last decade. Recently in May 2023, the Supreme Court of Namibia ruled to recognize same-sex couples who marry abroad while Gabon's Senate voted in June 2020 to decriminalise homosexuality.

At the same time, several African countries have criminalized homosexuality including Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritania, Somalia, South Sudan, Cameroon, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Chad.

In Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan, the maximum penalty for LGBTQ+ people is death while that of Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia is life imprisonment. LGBTQ+ people in Gambia, Kenya, and Malawi get a maximum penalty of 14 years jail term.

The High Court of Kenya in 2019 upheld the law criminalising consensual same-sex sexual activity, adding it is "an effective method to contain the country's HIV epidemic".

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed in 2022 in Uganda would sentence anyone who identifies with “lesbianism, gay, transgender, queer or any other sexual or gender identity contrary to the binary categories of male and female” to 10 years in prison.

While Eritrea's bill states that, “A person who performs with a person of the same sex an act corresponding to the sexual act, or any other indecent sexual act, is guilty of homosexual conduct, a Class 7 serious offense, punishable with a definite term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 7 years.”

While some African countries have decriminalized homosexuality, homosexuals present in the countries still face many forms of violence. 

According to Human Rights Watch , Egyptian police and National Security Agency officers arbitrarily arrest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and detain them in inhuman conditions .

Likewise in February 2021, activists working on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity at protests were arrested and physically assaulted by the Tunisian security forces. Such acts of violence have also been recorded in Rwanda .

President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe came to this agreement following President Mnangagwa’s visit to Botswana on December 7 for the fifth annual Kusi Ideas Festival, a pan-African conference to foster collaboration between African nations towards the continent's 2063 development agenda.

“That should be cleared. The two of us have agreed, realising that we are African. We should be able to walk into Botswana, walk into Zambia, walk into Kenya. We have just agreed while sitting that ‘my brother, why do we restrict ourselves? Somebody said in the past when we were all together, the Global North came and made boundaries,” President Mnangagwa told reporters.

“So why should we continue to respect this, let us open the borders among ourselves and move freely,” he added.

There has been a wave of African leaders calling for the ease of travel restrictions between African states. Countries like Rwanda and Kenya have made decisions to allow visa-free entries for all African nationals.

A move Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council said could position Africa at the centre of the global tourism market.

The astrophysicist, before attaining her PhD spent some of her early years in academia. She served as a graduate teaching assistant at the Department of Academic Literacy for over two years and worked as a Lab Demonstrator in the University of Botswana's Computer Science Department.

Her academic journey extended to the UK, where she worked as an online tutor for the University of London, providing support for the BSc Computer Science and MSc Data Science programmes for more than three years.

She currently serves as a Software and Data Processing Engineer at BIUST.

In a recent interview about being Botswana’s first to obtain a PhD in Astrophysics, she is quoted by local news media Meggi Online saying, “I applied for a PhD in the United Kingdom got a scholarship, and started my PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. My thesis was on machine learning in Astronomy, and I successfully defended it in February this year, making me the first Motswana to hold a PhD in Astrophysics.”

‘’I believe we need to invest in science and research as well as make policies and strategies that support the development of space science. We should also benchmark countries like South Africa, whose investment in Astronomy has stimulated the country’s economy as well as boosting their tourism and creating jobs. We should increase general interest in science and encourage public engagement,’’ she added.

While some of these dishes have gained popularity on the global front, others still remain less popular.

Call them ‘unpopular’ but they make great delicacies in Africa and these dishes will surely surprise you.

We explore a selection of these unpopular yet delightful foods that are delicacies in Africa.

Mopane worms

Peculiar as it may sound, Mopane worms make some of the best stews and snacks in Southern Africa. Considered to be high in protein, iron, calcium, zinc and other vitamins, the caterpillars of the Emperor Moth are made into different meals.

For a crispy crunchy snack, the worms are dried and flavoured to the preferred taste. Flavourful stew can also be made from these wriggly animals when they are rehydrated and fried or steamed and then combined with sauce.

It is said to provide a distinctly earthy and nutty flavour and can be combined with pap or Sadza (ball-like maize meals).

It is usually enjoyed in various Southern African countries including South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Fried Termites

Their bites could be very painful and irritating but they make delicious meals in Uganda.

They are usually harvested during the rainy season, washed and prepared by removing the wings and then first cooked until the water evaporates and then they are fried till crispy.

Their flavour and rarity make them a sought-after delicacy in Uganda.

  Warthog meat

They are one of the most hunted animals in Namibia because of their meat. They are treated like pork, transformed into different forms for consumption.

The meat of these wild animals is a local delicacy known for its rich and gamey flavour and can be eaten either grilled, cooked or fried.

A taste of this meat could be simply described as an adventure on a plate. It is also popular in some Southern African countries.

Cow foot soup

It is usually attributed to Sierra Leoneans and known as ‘Nyaamajama,’ but it is very popular in other West African countries including Ghana.

Derived from the feet of cattle as indicated by its name, the meat is slowly cooked and used in the preparation of mouth-watering soup dishes.

It is also used to prepare sumptuous stews that go with a variety of accompaniments including rice, and yam among others.

Nsenene

They can be described as nature’s nimble acrobats with their hops and camouflage abilities. But they are not only popular in the insect world but also in the human world where they serve as a distinct snack.

In Uganda, the meal known as Nsenene is usually prepared by frying with oil, spices and onion to make a tasty crunchy snack.

The wings of the grasshoppers are plucked off after harvest before they are pan-fried.

Cow skin

Cow skin or hide, is a very popular delicacy in some African countries. It has many names; ‘pomo’ in Nigeria, and ‘wele’ in Ghana. Although popular in other countries, both countries are known for their wide consumption of cow skin which is usually added to stews or soups and served with other dishes.

Cow skin is well enjoyed by many due to its unique texture and flavour and sometimes is used as a substitute for meat.